Newbie question: Hermit Crab

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by bluepill, Mar 25, 2009.

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  1. OverThinker

    OverThinker Skunk Shrimp

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    May 9, 2009
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    Location:
    Bend, Oregon
    And if you use used shells from an LFS make sure you boil them first to make sure nothing died in it.

    Do you guys know if a hermit or shrimp sheds it's skin will that shell toxicate the water?
     
    OverThinker, Jun 4, 2009
    OverThinker, Jun 4, 2009
    #21

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  2. invert phil

    invert phil Millepora

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    North Yorkshire, England, Europe, Earth, Milkyway,
    There shouldn't be anything toxic in a shedded shrimp/crab exoskeleton. The exoskeleton is mostly chitin which contains N-acetylglucosamine which is a natural source of glucosamine. Most shrimp will eat the shed exoskeleton for the carbohydrate chitin.
     
    invert phil, Jun 7, 2009
    invert phil, Jun 7, 2009
    #22
  3. invert phil

    invert phil Millepora

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2009
    Messages:
    916
    Location:
    North Yorkshire, England, Europe, Earth, Milkyway,
    If not eaten by shrimp, it will be biodegraded by bacteria and fungi using the enzyme chitinase.
     
    invert phil, Jun 7, 2009
    invert phil, Jun 7, 2009
    #23
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